Mal absorption syndrome is a group of disorders marked by
Indigestion
Excessive nutrients loss in stools
Abnormal absorption of dietary constituents
It is a state arising from abnormality in absorption of food nutrients across the gastrointestinal tract.
Impairment can be of single or multiple nutrients depending on the abnormality. This may lead to malnutrition and a variety of anemia.
Malabsorption constitutes the pathological interference with the normal physiological sequence of body.
2. DEFINITION
Mal absorption syndrome is a group of disorders marked by
Indigestion
Excessive nutrients loss in stools
Abnormal absorption of dietary constituents
3. It is a state arising from abnormality in absorption of food
nutrients across the gastrointestinal tract.
Impairment can be of single or multiple nutrients
depending on the abnormality. This may lead to
malnutrition and a variety of anemia.
Malabsorption constitutes the pathological interference
with the normal physiological sequence of body.
4. CAUSES:
Bile salt insufficiency:
Obstructive jaundice
Bacterial overgrowth
Infection
Acute infectious enteritis
Parasitic infections, such as giardia, or helminthiasis
11. It is a pathologic dilation of
lymph vessels. When it occurs
in the intestines of dogs, and
more rarely humans, it causes
a disease known as "intestinal
lymphangiectasis"
Lymphangiectasis
12. PEM
Iron deficiency anemia
Severe Steatorrhea due to cystic fibrosis, celiac
disease
14. Fatigue
Weight loss
Direct consequence of malabsorption which leads to
malnutrition and growth failure
Malabsorption syndrome and chronic diarrhea is
manifested with three major categories, these are- impaired
digestion, intestinal malabsorption and carbohydrate
malabsorption.
15. Impaired Digestion
It occurs due to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency also
results in chronic diarrhea and malabsorption.
Due to cystic fibrosis, lipase deficiency and crohn’s
disease.
It is manifested as frequent loose pasty, greasy stools with
undigested fat and offensive cheesy smell.
16. Intestinal Malabsorption
presented with chronic diarrhea as loose or liquid stool.
These patients have steatorrhea
This condition is usually associated with celiac disease,
food protein sensitivity, giardiasis, immunodeficiency,
malnutrition and bacterial overgrowth
19. Fecal fat studies for steatorrhea
D-Xylose test ( performed to diagnose conditions that present
with malabsorption of the proximal small intestine)
Intestinal biopsy
Radiology test- barium meal study to detect structural defect
20. Specific test- like
Sweat chloride test for cystic fibrosis (sweat test
measures the concentration of chloride that is excreted
in sweat)
Blood serology test for celiac disease,
Hydrogen breath analysis for carbohydrate
malabsorption
Lactose tolerance test
21. MANAGEMENT
Replacement of electrolytes and fluid by parental
administration.
Adequate nutrition intake considering the specific defect.
Control the diarrhea
Dietary modification is important in some conditions:
Gluten-free diet in coeliac disease.
Lactose avoidance in lactose intolerance.
22. Antibiotic therapy will treat Small Bowel Bacterial
overgrowth.
In cystic fibrosis, the diet should be planned with food
items rich in protein and sugar.
For carbohydrate malabsorption give glucose and
galactose free diet.
Pancreatic supplements, antacid and antihistamine are
essential.
24. Assessment
Daily intake output
Daily weight
Vital signs
Serum electrolyte
GI Function
Characteristic of Stool
25. Nursing Diagnosis
Diarrhea related to indigestion secondary to mal
absorption
Imbalanced nutrition less than body requirement related
to indigestion secondary to diarrhea.
Fluid and electrolyte imbalance related to indigestion
secondary to mal absorption
26. Knowledge deficit related to hospitalization and mal
absorption disease
Fear and anxiety related to hospitalization (in parents and
child)
27. Nursing Intervention
Improvement of nutritional status by appropriate diet
planning and supplementation of deficient nutrition.
Restoration of fluid and electrolyte balance by oral and
parenteral therapy
Continuous monitoring and recording of patient’s
condition
28. Relief of pain by medication and anti-diarrheal agents for
diarrhea as prescribed by doctor
Maintenance of skin integrity specially perineal area
Health education to parents about general cleanliness,
nutrition, hydration, danger sign, homecare and follow-up,
for necessary medical help.
Relief of fear and anxiety about long term illness and
hospitalization by appropriate explanation, reassurance
and necessary support.